Isaac Afolabi

Ondo state government has announced the dissolution of Sunshine Stars technical crew, Staff and players with immediate effect.

This followed the directive of Mr. Governor to reposition Ondo State Football Agency for better performance and effective output.

According to a statement issued by the government to this effect, signed and made available to the public by Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, the State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports it has become necessary to dissolve the technical crew, technical pool staff and players of the Sunshine Stars football club of Akure considering the poor performance of the team.

“It is on record that the team managed to escape relegation last season and ended up in the 18th position out of the 20 teams that participated at the just concluded football season.

“However, the crises that, which rocked the NFF during the season gave automatic ticket to all the teams for the new season saved Sunshine Stars from being relegated. The team also lost out in the AITEO-FA sponsored competition this year.

“In view of these poor performances, it has become necessary to reposition the team for better performance during the forthcoming season.

“We wish to appreciate the efforts and contributions of affected staff for their past contributions as management of the board has been directed to take notice of payment of affected staff and their salaries”, the statement read.

Meanwhile, the State government has justified its action for the dissolution saying the step is aimed at repositioning the team to compete favorably with other clubs in the continent.

Ogunleye who stated this while reacting to the decision noted that the team has not justified the monetary allocation given to them by the state government, hence, the need for restructuring.

He lamented poor run of the team at the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL and the 2018 AITEO federation cup as some of the reasons for the development.

He however assured sunshine stars fans that new players and technical crew will soon be recruited ahead of next league season to replace tired legs.

Sunshine stars finished eighteenth position in the just concluded NPFL and were crashed out of the Federation cup in the preliminary stage.